Extraordinary Living for Ordinary People - 1
First of a three part discussion
In this three-part discussion, we will look at how Paul encourages us to live extraordinarily through servanthood to Christ.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Enthusiastic sinners often become lazy saints, but such was not the case with Paul. He went all out no matter what he did. When he was bad, he was very, very, bad: the chief of sinners he called himself in 1 Tim 1:15. When he was good he was extraordinarily good; “not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles” he claimed. Second only to Jesus, Paul easily ranks as the most extraordinary person in the history of Christianity. He is living proof extraordinary living is available for ordinary people. What made his such an extraordinary life? Perhaps unwittingly the apostle set out his secret in the text. From it, ordinary people can learn what extraordinary living demands.
I. Surrender The apostle enjoyed the prized privilege of being a free-born Roman citizen and further rejoiced in the freedom of the sons of God, but he delighted in calling himself “a servant of Christ Jesus!” Actually the word, doulos , indicated the lowest kind of slave. A doulos had no choice in any matter. He worked without pay, praise, or time off, and owed his master unquestioning obedience, even to the point of breaking the law or giving up his life. In short, a doulos, belonged to his master.
In this same spirit Paul served Christ. He had made that kind of surrender on the road to Damascus when he knelt in the dust and whispered, “Lord!” From that day Paul was Christ’s man. He was at his disposal and under his command. He was the slave of Christ to be sent or to stay, used or laid aside in jail, whatever the Master pleased. Absolute surrender to the Lord Jesus made Paul’s life extraordinary.
Ordinary people who want to live extraordinary lives must begin with full surrender to Christ. They must take Jesus not as a partner, copilot, or “good buddy,” but as Master.
Aiming to do the Lord’s will, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else, will make any life extraordinary.
